TALLAHASSEE, FL — In a bombshell lawsuit filed in federal court, longtime NRA powerhouse and Second Amendment champion Marion P. Hammer is suing the National Rifle Association (NRA), claiming the group she helped build and protect for over 45 years has turned its back on her, breached its contract, and is misusing her name and image without permission.
Hammer, a Florida-based gun rights activist and the NRA’s first female president, alleges the NRA unlawfully terminated a 10-year consulting agreement, cut off her pay, and continues to use her legacy to fundraise, without paying or even asking her.
“She gave her life to defending the NRA and the Second Amendment, and now they’re trying to erase her,” said her attorney in the complaint.
What’s the Lawsuit About?
Hammer’s verified complaint outlines several serious claims: [embedded below]
- Breach of Contract: She says the NRA violated a binding 10-year agreement signed in 2018, which was meant to secure her continued involvement as a national advisor while transitioning her toward retirement. That agreement was approved by the NRA’s board audit committee and boosted her compensation to $220,000 annually—still less than half of what she was offered by anti-gun groups trying to buy her silence.
In 2018, Marion Hammer was approached by an attorney representing the anti-gun Brady Campaign, who offered her $5 million to retire and walk away from the NRA. Rather than take the money, Hammer immediately informed NRA leadership. In response, then–Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and top NRA officers proposed a 10-year contract extension to keep her onboard as a national advisor. The deal, later ratified by the NRA’s audit committee, increased her pay to $220,000 annually—less than half of what the opposition had dangled in front of her to buy her silence. The contract also ensured she wouldn’t consult with any competing interests, locking in her loyalty to the NRA for the remainder of her career.
- Retaliation & Purge Tactics: The lawsuit claims that the NRA is actively trying to erase Hammer’s name from its leadership rolls—including pushing to remove her from the Executive Council and extinguish her membership, effectively treating her like a “nonperson” after decades of loyalty.
- Unauthorized Use of Name and Image: Despite cutting ties, the NRA allegedly continues to use Hammer’s name and photo to solicit donations and promote outreach to female gun owners. Her name still headlines multiple award pages on the NRA’s website, including a recent article featuring a “DONATE” button prominently under her image.
- Donation Deception: In a particularly damning accusation, Hammer says she donated money to the NRA Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Forum, only to discover that at least one of her checks was deposited into the NRA’s general (non-tax-deductible) account. Another check was simply never processed or accounted for, and the NRA has refused to explain what happened to it.
- Emotional and Financial Harm: Hammer now says she’s been left with only Social Security income and no retirement support—despite her pivotal role in NRA victories, from passing Florida’s Stand Your Ground law to creating the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, which educated over 28 million children nationwide.
Why It Matters
Marion Hammer has been more than just a political figurehead. She helped spearhead Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law and created the NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, credited with educating over 28 million children. Her influence shaped gun policy in Florida and beyond.
Hammer says she refused a $5 million offer from anti-gun group Brady to retire, choosing instead to stay loyal to the NRA. That loyalty, the lawsuit alleges, has now been repaid with betrayal.
What the Lawsuit Seeks
Hammer is demanding a jury trial and seeking:
- Full back pay under her contract.
- Compensation for unauthorized use of her likeness.
- Punitive damages.
- Legal fees.
- An injunction to stop the NRA from using her name, photo, and reputation in promotions.
Final Thoughts
Whether the courts side with Hammer or the NRA, the lawsuit makes one thing clear: the internal battles at the NRA are no longer behind closed doors. They’re now in federal court, with one of the group’s most iconic figures demanding answers, accountability—and justice.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case raises broader questions about long-term loyalty, leadership accountability, and how legacy figures are treated by the organizations they helped shape. Whatever the outcome, all eyes will be on how the NRA responds—and what it signals for the future of the gun rights movement.
MARION P. HAMMER vs. NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
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Who verified that she was really offered the $5 million. Sounds like an effort to embellish her retirement. Anything from Wayne for a friend in need.
It seems to me that this law suit is NOT about “long term loyalty , leadership accountability, and legacy figures…” it’s about continueing the corruption and , in fact, seeking court orders to demand it’s continuation.
Did I mention that Marion appears to want to dip into the funds that used to go to the Brewer Law Firm?
https://2awhiterook.com/former-nra-president-marion-hammer-sues-nra/
Do they have the money?…
This “article” reads like it was written by Marion Hammer’s law firm.
It should be called an “op ed”.
Marion Hammer was one of the worst. She was WLP’s attack dog. She fought GOA over permitless carry in Florida. She’s a crook. She’s rotten.
Defund the whole NRA.